President Marcos confers Order of Sikatuna on outgoing European Union envoy

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has conferred the Order of Sikatuna with the rank Grand Cross (Datu), Silver Distinction to outgoing European Union Ambassador Luc Véron for his significant contributions to strengthening Philippines-EU bilateral relations.

“You’ve been affixed here in all the work that we’ve been doing for the last three years, since I’ve been President. And I think that in that time we really have seen a much deeper interconnection between the Philippines and the EU,” Marcos told Véron during the ambassador’s farewell call at Malacañang on Thursday.

“I don’t think we’ve had this close relationship with the EU as we have now and I’m happy that that’s the case,” the President added.

Véron arrived in the Philippines on Dec. 15, 2020 and presented his credentials at Malacañang on Feb. 10, 2021.

Prior to his appointment, Véron held various positions at the European External Action Services and the European Commission.

The Order of Sikatuna honored Véron for his role “in promoting the rule of law and the rules-based international order and in furthering the long-standing commitment and consistent contributions of the European Union toward securing peace and development in Mindanao, through the peace process, grassroots development and the ongoing transition of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.”

“For his efforts to obtain and provide humanitarian assistance to the Philippines in times of natural disaster and during the Covid-19 pandemic and for his many laudable initiatives to foster amity and mutual appreciation between the peoples of the Philippines and the European Union; have caused to be inscribed in the roster the order of Sikatuna,” the citation stated.

The citation also mentioned Véron’s efforts “in the conclusion of numerous cooperation agreements, especially in the field of development cooperation, to support the Philippines’ priorities in the fields of climate change, green and resilient economy, energy, digital connectivity, good governance, trade and investment, space science technology and maritime cooperation and security.”

The Order of Sikatuna is an order of diplomatic merit conferred upon individuals who have rendered exceptional and meritorious services to the Philippines.

According to Malacañang, the EU is a steadfast development partner of the Philippines in achieving its development goals and has extended support through various means for the peace and development process in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.